Quinton de Kock Reverses ODI Retirement, South Africa Recall Wicketkeeper-Batter for ODIs

Quinton de Kock, a seasoned batsman and wicketkeeper, has decided to play in the next series against Pakistan instead of retiring from One-Day Internationals. Notably, de Kock has returned to the T20I lineup, receiving call-ups for both the series' T20I leg and the match against Namibia. After South Africa advanced to the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup and lost to eventual victors Australia, the 32-year-old announced his retirement from the 50-over format.

For those who don't know, de Kock's most recent ODI was in the 2023 World Cup, where he faced Australia in the semi-final at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. His most recent T20I participation occurred in June 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados, during the heartbreaking defeat to India in the T20 World Cup final. However, the 32-year-old will be hoping to establish himself once more on the global stage.

Quinton de Kock's Back in Action:

JUST IN: Quinton de Kock has been named in South Africa's ODI and T20I squads to tour Pakistan pic.twitter.com/boYHwRQTiv

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 22, 2025

In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Quinton played his final white-ball match for South Africa. The Proteas advanced to the final but lost to India in the summit match in Barbados. The wicketkeeper-batter has returned to the team after previously stating that he wants to play for the Proteas in both forms.

In a formal statement, head coach Shukri Conrad stated, “Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us. When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team."

In his 155 ODI appearances thus far, the left-handed hitter has amassed 6770 runs with a strike rate of 96.64 and an average of 45.74. However, he has scored 2584 runs with a strike rate of 138.32 in 92 Twenty20 Internationals. Aiden Markram will lead the team instead of captain Temba Bavuma, who is sidelined for the Test series against Pakistan owing to a calf strain. Whether Bavuma recovers in time for the forthcoming two-Test series against India later this year is now up in the air.

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